Squire Fridell (born February 9, 1943) is an American retired actor, author, and winemaker who is widely known for his prolific work in the field of commercials; in the 1980s alone, Fridell served concurrently as spokesman for Toyota cars and McDonald's, portraying Ronald McDonald.
Early life Fridell was born in Oakland, California. He attended the University of the Pacific where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.
Career Fridell began his acting career on stage in Southern California in 1968. In 1974 he was an acting teacher at El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, California.
From 1978 to 2012, he was a spokesman in the American TV ads for the Toyota Motor Corporation. Fridell became the official Ronald McDonald clown character in 1985, after King Moody retired from the role after 16 years. He portrayed the character in the McDonald's Corporation television commercials and for the chain fast-food restaurants for six years until 1991. Besides the commercials, he also portrayed the character in the 1988 film Mac and Me and provided the voice of the character in the 1989 DiC animated film The Adventures of Ronald McDonald: McTreasure Island. From the 1970s until the mid-1990s, Fridell also had supporting character roles in a number of popular TV series, such as M*A*S*H, Newhart, Ironside and Adam-12.
In 1980, Harmony Books published Fridell's book, Acting in Television Commercials for Fun and Profit, subsequently re-released by Random House in 2005.
Fridell returned as himself in several Toyota commercials in 2010, responding to the image damage the company suffered due to a slow response to safety issues in 2009. Laurel Coppock's "Jan" succeeded Fridell as the company's advertising spokesperson in 2012 and remains to the present day.
He is also the co-owner and operator of GlenLyon Vineyards.
Author Fridell, Squire. Acting in Television Commercials for Fun and Profit, 4th Edition (2009). Penguin Random House.
Personal life Squire and Suzanne McDermaid (a professional dancer and dance teacher for many years) were married in 1977. They have one daughter, Lexy, who is pursuing an acting career in New York City. The family currently resides in Glen Ellen (in the Sonoma Valley region of California) where they have operated the GlenLyon Vineyards and Winery since 1989.
His sister Barbara is married to former NFL player and coach Tom Flores.
Filmography YearTitleRoleNotes 1982 Pink Motel George 1983 Imps* Newscaster 1986 Miracles Yates 1988 Mac and Me Ronald McDonald 1990 The Adventures of Ronald McDonald: McTreasure Island Ronald McDonald (voice) Direct-to-video 1995 Village of the Damned The Sheriff
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1970 The Bold Ones: The New Doctors Dr. Jessup Episode: "This Day's Child" Ironside 1st Attendant Episode: "Little Dog, Gone" The Young Lawyers George Nudavik Episode: "Where's Aaron" 1970–1972 Adam-12 Palmer, Goldstone, Floyd Bannister 3 episodes1972 The Strangers in 7A PeteTelevision film The Heist Martin Galvin 1973 Police Story Mod I.A. Man Episode: "Man on a Rock" 1975 The Missing Are Deadly Reporter #2 Television film 1976 Holmes and Yoyo Albert Episode: "Funny Money" 1977 Rosetti and Ryan Frank Ryan 7 episodes1978 Operation Petticoat Lt. Meadows Episode: "Tostin Times Two" Human Feelings Phil Sawyer Television film1979 Vega$ Paul Baker Episode: "The Eleventh Event" The Ropers Bill Episode: "Days of Beer and Rosie" Eight is Enough Pete Burkus Episode: "Mary, He's Married" 1981 M*A*S*H Cpl. Alvin Rice Episode: "Identity Crisis"1984 Mama's Family Frank Palmer Episode: "Supermarket" Newhart Uniform Officer Episode: "Go, Grandma, Go" For Love or Money Howard Television film 1985–1991 McDonaldland Ronald McDonald 45 episodes 1991 Midnight Caller Bryon Walsh Episode: "A Cry in the Night" 1992 Bay City Story Douglas Turner Television film
Video games YearTitleRoleNotes 1996 Top Gun: Fire at Will Air Boss
References
External links GlenLyon Winery site